GB800710A - Improvements in or relating to detergent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

Detergent compositions contain an organic soapless detergent and an N-tris-(hydroxymethyl) - methylamide having the general formula R.CO.NH.C(CH2OH)3 where R is a saturated alkyl radical of 9.15 carbon atoms or an unsaturated alkyl radical of 9-17 carbon atoms. The detergent may be anionic, non-ionic, or cationic and may be, for example, a sulphated fatty alcohol, a secondary alkyl sulphate, an alkyl sulphonate, an acyl tauride, a sulphonated alkylaryl hydrocarbon, cetyl-trimethylammonium bromide, a condensation product of ethylene oxide with an alkylphenol, or mixtures of such detergents. Anionic detergents may be present as the alkali metal, ammonium or amine salts, the latter two being preferred if the compositions are to be produced in liquid form. The compositions may also be produced in the form of powders, flakes, granules, or tablets. The N-tris-(hydroxymethyl)-methylamide is typically derived from caprylic, myristic, palmitic or oleic acid, or from mixtures consisting essentially of such acids, such as those obtainable from oils such as coconut or palm oil; such mixtures should be free from appreciable quantities of stearic or higher saturated acids. The preferred compound is N-tris-(hydroxymethyl)-lauramide. The compositions may also include sulphates, silicates, carbonates, condensed phosphates, salts of carboxymethylcellulose, colouring agents, perfumes and, in the case of liquid compositions, solvents such as water, lower alcohols or alkanolamines, and thickening agents such as polyethylene glycols. The pH of the compositions should be greater than 7, preferably 7-10, and may be adjusted, if necessary, by the addition of a base such as potassium hydroxide. A liquid composition normally contains 23-42 per cent of detergent and 8-12 per cent of the N-tris-(hydroxymethyl)-methylamide; in the case of solid compositions this latter proportion is 0.5-15 per cent.ALSO:N-Tris(hydroxymethyl)-methylamides having the general formula R.CO.NH.C(CH2OH)3, where R is a saturated alkyl radical of 9-15 carbon atoms or an unsaturated alkyl radical of 9-17 carbon atoms, are obtained by reacting the appropriate carboxylic acid or its chloride or anhydride with tris-(hydroxymethyl)-methylamine. The 2-alkyl-4 : 4-bis-(hydroxymethyl)-oxazoline so formed is then partially hydrolysed by alcoholic hydrochloric acid, or by boiling with water, to yield the required compound. Specified compounds are the N-tris-(hydroxymethyl)-methylamides of caprylic, lauric, myristic, palmitic and oleic acids, and of mixtures of acids derived from coconut and palm oil, such mixtures being free from appreciable quantities of stearic or higher saturated acids.